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2018 Summer STARTALK program listings will be available beginning in March 2018

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Showing 1 - 10 of 13 results found.

KEAN UNIVERSITY (Student)

Kean University Hindi and Urdu Student Program

Language(s)

Hindi, Urdu

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

July 31, 2017 – August 18, 2017

Location(s)

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

Environmental Challenges and Public Health in India and Pakistan serves as the theme for Kean’s 2017 Building Competency in Hindi and Urdu through Global Project-Based Learning Program designed for secondary/early post-secondary heritage language learners. Specifically, the theme focuses on the integration of language, culture and content related to perspectives and practices concerning health and wellness and their relationship to environmental conditions in India and Pakistan. Program outcomes include development of higher levels of linguistic, intercultural and global competencies through daily interactions with students from partner schools in India and Pakistan focused on gaining knowledge about and taking action on these local/global issues. The program will enroll 20 Hindi and 15 Urdu students in a three-week standards-driven blended learning experience and offers opportunities to earn high school and/or college credits.

Contact(s)

University of Central Florida (Student)

Preparation for a Business Trip to Russia

Language(s)

Russian

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

July 10, 2017 – July 28, 2017: (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

The theme of the program will be "Preparation for a Business Trip to Russia," focusing on giving students the necessary skills for a successful business trip to Russia by providing learner-centered language instruction using topics and situations related to students' professional goals. This theme will help students explore the use of the Russian language in the professional environment, learn about contemporary business opportunities in Russia, and understand the norms that are prevalent in Russian business culture today. The duration of the program is three weeks, for a total of ninety instructional hours and will be offered to local high school students and UCF undergraduate students, with a target enrollment of fifty participants. The participants will be divided into two groups of Novice­ Low to Novice-Mid level, with the latter group providing more in-depth content for returning STARTALK participants and those with some knowledge of the target language. The resource materials for future STARTALK Russian language programs will be developed and shared in the future publication series continuing " Picturing Russia: A Research Guide to Russian Culture" and "Language and Culture of doing Business in Russia".

Contact(s)

Bayan Claremont (Student)

STARTALK Legacy of Arabic Literary Culture

Language(s)

Arabic

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

July 5, 2017 – August 4, 2017: (Online)

Location(s)

Bayan Claremont / Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

Our 100% online thematic Arabic program for high school and college students will engage students around carefully-selected samples of Arabic literature that reflect the richness of cultural expression in various lands during medieval times. Students at the "intermediate low proficiency level" are encouraged to participate, and the format consists of daily synchronous and asynchronous language learning experiences. Lessons will explore the genres of travel writing, frame tales, history, scientific writing, humor, and poetry. By the end of our program, students will know about genres of Arabic literature, famous person, interesting locales, and will be able to talk with others about cultural exchange and influence, and will have enhanced their abilities in the modes of communication as a foundation for further intermediate level study. They will be able to present information on historical eras and figures, stories from Arab culture, and aspects of daily life that have changed and remained the same.

The program involves 100 hours over five weeks of online language study, comprised of self-paced work as well as live meetings from Monday through Thursday for 1.5 hours per day. Students who complete the program will be provided certificates. We aim to enroll up to 38 students nationwide who are dedicated to the entire program.

Contact(s)

Agnes Scott College (Student)

Georgia STARTALK Program: Chinese & Turkish

Language(s)

Grade Level(s)

6-8, 9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

July 3, 2017 – July 15, 2017: no class on July 9 (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

The 12-day Chinese and Turkish programs with a total of 84 hours instruction in Chinese or 84 hours instruction in Turkish will allow 24 middle school and high school students (grades 6-12) who have limited or no previous experience in Chinese to attain novice-mid proficiency in Chinese, and 10 high school juniors and seniors (grades 11-12) along with college freshmen and sophomores who have limited or no previous experience in Turkish to attain novice-mid proficiency in Turkish. During each 7-hour day, students will engage in immersive language learning, practicing Martial Arts or Taekwondo, drumming, and music. The theme “A Musical Journey through China, a Musical Journey through Turkey” will provide ample opportunities for communication about food, geography, families, music, and basic greetings and introductions; learning about the cultures and content of the Chinese/Turkish traditions, music and sports; connecting to art and history. A field trip to the Atlanta Chinatown and the Turkish Istanbul Cultural Center will provide a rich exchange of activities with native speakers and an authentic opportunity for interpersonal communication. By the end of the program, students will reach "novice-mid" in all modes of communication based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines and will be able to handle many authentic tasks, including telling and asking about basic personal information, commenting on their favorite Chinese or Turkish food, cities and musical instruments, designing itineraries, and performing skits and songs in Chinese or Turkish.

Contact(s)

Hunter College / City University of New York (Student)

STARTALK Hunter Chinese Student Program Gr. 9-16

Language(s)

Chinese

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

June 29, 2017 – August 2, 2017: Face-to-Face + Online (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

Hunter College, New York, NY

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

The program uses the best practices of the blended model to offer a 6 weeks summer language and culture program for 10-15 high school and college level students do not have prior Chinese learning background. High school students who do well in the summer session may continue in the program and earn 3 college credits by taking a post-summer 10 week online course. College students with satisfactory learning performance will be accepted into the Chinese Flagship program. The program enables American students to receive quality instruction in Chinese language from native speakers while taking part in rich cultural activities. Students should achieve at least Novice Mid level of proficiency in speaking by the end of the summer program as demonstrated by the STAMP test results.

Contact(s)

Lewis University (Student)

Lewis University Summer StarTalk 2017

Language(s)

Chinese

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

June 26, 2017 – July 21, 2017: (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

Lewis University, Romeoville, IL

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

32 rising high school 10-12 graders, college freshmen and sophomores (placed into level 1& 2) will participate in Lewis University Summer Star Talk 2017 . By the end of the Program, students are expected to develop interest in TL and culture and to reach basic (Novice High /Intermediate Low) functional ability in Chinese. This program will run for four weeks from June 26 to July 21, 2017, Monday through Friday and will provide 90 hours of instruction. The University provides tuition-free program for all participants, access to the University course management system, and facilities. Students who successfully complete the program will earn three tuition-free Lewis University credits.
The program will immerse its participants into a culturally rich target language environment under the umbrella theme “A Trip to Taipei”. As students make plans for their journey to the target language country they will learn how to get around the major Taiwanese city, learn about places of interest, and engage in basic conversations with “locals”.

Contact(s)

Brigham Young University (Student)

BYU STARTALK Arabic Camp

Language(s)

Arabic

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

June 26, 2017 – July 14, 2017: (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

Program Setting

Residential

Summary

The BYU Arabic STARTALK Camp is designed to light the fire of motivation in students as they experience that they can learn a lot of Arabic in just three weeks. Our theme, “Avicenna’s Astrolabe,” centers on a collaborative mystery-solving game set in the present. Students are tasked to find an ancient cure to a deadly disease that threatens to decimate the modern world. The key to doing so is an astrolabe once held by the famous polymath, Ibn Sina (a.k.a. Avicenna). By exploring cities and talking to people from both the modern and medieval Arab world, students uncover the story of the astrolabe as it passed hands from civilization to civilization, while also finding clues leading them on to discover the cure they seek. In the process, students internalize basic communication skills while also experiencing a variety of Arab cultures and historical perspectives that highlight the impact of Arabo-Islamic civilization on the West. They will also learn about past and present violent reactionary movements in the East and the West that manipulate religion to foment hate and gain power.

Beginners get off to a great start and complete the equivalent of a year of high school Arabic and receive corresponding credit. We will again offer an option that will allow those who already know the script to complete the equivalent of Arabic 101 and receive either high school or university credit. Even more advanced students may complete Arabic 102 and receive high school or university credit. All will come away with a solid repertoire of pragmatic speaking and reading skills and gain significant hands-on experience with Arab culture.

Students learn through doing. They live the language, learning to perform authentic tasks. They are immersed in music, films, games, cooking lessons, visits to mosques and restaurants. Tutors are available day and night to act as role models and to help students of varying abilities and challenges succeed. World-class teachers are experienced in making learning fun and adjusting instruction to individual needs. Students practice and demonstrate their progress in role plays and in day-to-day living, which helps to build confidence.

All students are urged to push on during the academic year with our award-winning distance-learning course that includes live support from tutors. Some former students who have done so have already distinguished themselves in follow-on abroad experience and realized the goal of acquiring advanced levels of proficiency in Arabic. BYU’s Arabic camp is a great springboard. Consider the example of Rachel Lott, who participated in our 2014 camp and will be joining us this year as a teaching assistant:

Contact(s)

Ohio University (Student)

2017 Swahili STARTALK Program at Ohio University

Language(s)

Swahili

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

June 26, 2017 – July 26, 2017: (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

Ohio University Athens Campus, Athens, OH

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

The Swahili STARTALK is a one-month (June 26-July 26) intensive language program targeting 20 participants to receive a total of 92 hours of Swahili instruction by attending four hours per day, Mondays to Thursdays, and five hours on Fridays for 22 days. The participants, who will enroll in the elementary and intermediate classes, will be drawn from Ohio University undergraduate students, students from other four-year institutions in Ohio, as well as high school students from schools within the vicinity of Ohio University. At the end of the program, students will earn four semester hours of college credit, and students in the Elementary class will be able to perform at the Novice Mid proficiency level, while students in the Intermediate class will be able to perform at the Novice High/Intermediate Low levels according to the NCSSFL-ACTFL Global Can-Do Benchmarks. The program will integrate culture, content, and language and will lead students on a journey to East Africa.

Contact(s)

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY (Student)

Penn State STARTALK Arabic Academy for Students

Language(s)

Arabic

Grade Level(s)

9-12, Undergraduate

Date(s)

June 19, 2017 – July 14, 2017

Location(s)

Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

The STARTALK Arabic Academy at Penn State is an ambitious, multifaceted program for 20 high school and college students to take an introductory college course in Arabic. For 4 weeks (June-July), a multinational instructional team provides instruction in Arabic for 5.5 hours daily Monday through Thursday, an additional 2 hours of afternoon immersion twice a week, and 4.5 hours on Friday, for a total of 113 available instructional hours. Upon successful completion, students earn 4 Penn State credits (one semester of college Arabic). Through student-centered, task-based, and communicative activities, students will become acquainted with Arabic cultures and learn to communicate in Arabic. Starting with no prior knowledge of Arabic, students will reach novice-mid or novice-high level.

Contact(s)

University of Washington (Student)

Portuguese through STEM and Project-Based Learning

Language(s)

Grade Level(s)

Date(s)

June 19, 2017 – July 14, 2017: (Online)

July 17, 2017 – August 11, 2017: (Face-to-face)

Location(s)

University of Washington Language Learning Center, Seattle, WA

Program Setting

Non-residential

Summary

The UW STARTALK Student Program, “Portuguese through STEM and Project-Based Learning,” aims to enroll 20 high school and college Portuguese and Spanish heritage language students in a four-week intensive Portuguese language program meeting six hours a day for a total of 120 instructional hours plus 20 hours for the online component preceding the face-to-face program. Portuguese heritage students are expected to increase their proficiency level from Intermediate Low to High, and Spanish heritage students, who will be just beginning their study of Portuguese, will aim to reach Intermediate Low (or higher) proficiency. The program is designed to develop students’ proficiency in Interpretive Reading and Listening, Presentational Speaking, and Presentational Writing in Portuguese, and in the Interpersonal Mode, students will increase their linguistic accuracy and sensitivity to cultural norms, e.g., social register and linguistic forms not typically encountered in intimate family speech. Students will be able to earn six University of Washington credits by enrolling in PORT 105 and also have an opportunity to complete the ACTFL AAPPL in the beginning of the program and the ACTFL OPIc (Oral Proficiency Interview computer-based) and WPT (Writing Proficiency Test) at the end of the program. High school students may be able to use these results in order to receive up to four high school competency-based credits, and all students will receive placement results for future study of Portuguese at the UW.

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About STARTALK

STARTALK is a project funded by the National Security Agency and administered by the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland. STARTALK’s mission is to increase the number of U.S. citizens learning, speaking, and teaching critical-need foreign languages, with programs for students (K-16) and teachers. MORE